Chapter 5 - The Secret Behind the Locked Study
Serafina stared at the folder.
TORRES, SERAFINA.
Kieran entered behind her.
His expression changed instantly.
“Serafina.”
She turned.
“What is this?”
He closed the door.
“Let me explain.”
Her stomach dropped.
“How long?”
He said nothing.
“How long have you had a file on me?”
“Eighteen months.”
The answer devastated her.
“You investigated me.”
“Yes.”
“You told me you noticed me.”
“I did.”
“You made it sound romantic.”
“It became something else.”
“But it started as surveillance.”
“Yes.”
Serafina opened the folder.
Employment history.
References.
Previous addresses.
Financial records connected to the background check she had authorized when hired.
Then another page.
Her father’s name.
She stopped.
“What does my father have to do with you?”
Kieran’s jaw tightened.
“Your father once worked for a company connected to my family.”
Serafina stared.
“My father died twelve years ago.”
“I know.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“He uncovered financial theft inside one of our businesses.”
Her face drained.
“Was he involved?”
“No.”
“Then why was this hidden?”
“Because he reported it.”
Kieran approached but stopped several feet away.
“My father protected the executive responsible. Yours lost his job.”
Serafina’s eyes burned.
“You knew?”
“I discovered it after you started here.”
“And said nothing.”
“I didn’t know how.”
“That has never stopped you before.”
“No.”
“Did you hire me because of him?”
“No. You were already employed before I recognized the connection.”
“Did you keep me because you felt guilty?”
“No.”
“Did you pay for Maya because of him?”
“No.”
She slammed the folder closed.
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
Kieran’s voice dropped.
“I don’t know.”
That answer stopped her.
He could have defended himself.
Instead, he opened the desk safe.
He removed another file.
“My father’s records. Everything connected to yours.”
Serafina stared.
“Take them.”
“Why?”
“Because they belong with you.”
She accepted the file.
Kieran looked at her.
“I should have told you months ago.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid you would leave.”
“That doesn’t justify hiding it.”
“I know.”
Serafina’s voice shook.
“You keep saying you don’t want to own me, but you keep deciding which truths I’m allowed to have.”
Kieran had no answer.
“That’s control too,” she whispered.
“I know.”
She walked toward the door.
“Serafina.”
She stopped.
“Don’t ask me to stay.”
His face hardened with the effort of obeying.
“All right.”
She left.
May you like
And this time, Kieran Blackwood did not follow.
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